Mounting bracket

ABSTRACT

A bracket for hanging an item on a wall is disclosed. The bracket has one or more bracket apertures which are used to mount the bracket to the hanging item. The hanging item could be an item like a picture or a shelf. The bracket has a mounting aperture which is used to mount the hanging item on a nail or a screw. Adjacent to the mounting aperture is a pinhole having a set screw. To use the bracket the user unthreads the set screw from the pinhole opening. The user places the hanging item in its desired location on the wall and pushes the item against the wall so that the set screw marks a spot on the wall where the user should place a nail or a screw for hanging the item.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/752,349, filed Jan. 24, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Applicant Ser. No. 62/796,371, filed on Jan. 24,2019, the disclosures of both of which are hereby fully incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to wall mounting units, andmore particularly, to functional brackets that may be used to self-markthe mounting location.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Brackets are utilized to mount shelving, pictures, and decorative itemson walls. Brackets can be embedded in these items or utilizedseparately. Brackets provide a benefit for wall mounting as the use ofbrackets provides stability and security to these items and preventsthese items from falling and breaking or injuring individuals.

The process of hanging items with brackets can be tedious. In someinstances the individual utilizes a paper template to mark locations ona wall for securing screws or nails. These templates are limited in thatthe template may be damaged or lost. Additionally, templates areprimarily meant for a single use. If an individual decides to later movethe wall mounted unit, the template is not available for a second use.If a template is not utilized the individual must measure the distancebetween brackets, estimate the location of the bracket on the locationon the wall when the item is hung, and attempt to secure screws andnails imprecisely. These methods are severely limited and are notefficient enough to allow individuals to hang wall mounted objectswithout issue. What is needed is a novel bracket and method for hangingwhich removes these deficiencies and improves the ease and efficiency ofhanging wall mounted units.

The invention relates to bracketing features which improve the ease andefficiency of hanging wall mounted items. Particularly, this bracketingdevice allows for quick installation of shelfs, frames, tapestries,baskets, blankets, hooks, plates, carpets, mirrors, plants, pictures,books, crates, calendars, lights, murals, artwork, boards and otheritems.

Each bracket is manufactured with a screw, pin, nail, anchor, clip,clamp, hook, bolt, or nut in a unique position depending on the item tobe mounted. This feature is pre-attached to the bracket and extends orcan be extended slightly from the bracket. The bracket is thenpre-installed by the manufacturer to the desired item. With anapplication of some force the extending mounting feature will mark thedesired mounting location. The user can then drill or perforate themarked location and easily mount the item without any added effort ormeasurements.

This type of bracket will save individuals time from needing to measurethe mounting location and drilling properly placed holes that closelymatch the bracket location. It ensures that the bracket will sitcorrectly at the mounting location and anchor the desired item to themounting location properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

The invention is directed to a bracket for hanging an item comprisingone or more bracket apertures; a mounting aperture; a pinhole openingdisposed adjacent to said mounting aperture; and wherein said brackethas a longitudinal axis, wherein said longitudinal axis passes through adiameter of said pinhole opening.

The bracket may further comprise a set screw having a threading disposedin said pinhole opening. Alternatively, the bracket may further comprisea marking element disposed in said pinhole opening.

The mounting aperture may have a first end and a second end, whereinsaid first end of said mounting aperture has a first width, wherein saidsecond end of said mounting aperture has a second width, wherein saidfirst width is greater than said second width, wherein said second endof said mounting aperture is disposed adjacent to said pinhole opening.

In another embodiment said one or more bracket apertures furthercomprise a first bracket aperture having a first aperture diameter and asecond bracket aperture having a second aperture diameter; wherein saidlongitudinal axis passes through said first aperture diameter; andwherein said longitudinal axis passes through said second aperturediameter.

In another embodiment said one or more bracket apertures furthercomprise a first bracket aperture having a first aperture diameter and asecond bracket aperture having a second aperture diameter; wherein saidlongitudinal axis does not pass through said first aperture diameter;and wherein said longitudinal axis passes does not pass through saidsecond aperture diameter.

In another embodiment the bracket further comprises a hanging member; anattachment member; wherein said hanging member is pivotably connected tosaid attachment member; wherein said pinhole opening is disposed at anend of said attachment member opposite from said attachment member.

The invention is directed toward a method for hanging an item on a wallcomprising unthreading said set screw from said pinhole opening so thata portion of said set screw extends laterally from said bracket and awayfrom said item; holding said item in a desired position against a wall;pressing said item against said wall so that said portion of said setscrew creates an impression in said wall; inserting a hanging fastenerinto said impression in said wall; and placing said hanging fastenerwithin said mounting aperture. A hanging fastener is any item placed ina wall which the item may hang from, such as a nail or a screw. Themethod may further comprise threading said set screw into said pinholeopening after creating said impression in said wall until said set screwdoes not extend laterally from said bracket.

The invention is already directed toward a method for hanging an item ona wall comprising attaching a bracket to a back side of said item;holding said item in a desired position against a wall; pressing saiditem against said wall so that a portion of said marking element createsa visual mark on said wall; applying a mark on a hanging location onsaid wall with said marking element; inserting a hanging fastener insaid wall where said mark is located; and placing said hanging fastenerwithin said mounting aperture. The method may further comprise removingsaid marking element from said pinhole opening prior to hanging saiditem on said hanging fastener.

Still other embodiments of the present invention will become readilyapparent to those skilled in this art from the following descriptionwherein there is shown and described the embodiments of this invention,simply by way of illustration of the best modes suited to carry out theinvention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of otherdifferent embodiments and its several details are capable ofmodifications in various obvious aspects all without departing from thescope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and descriptions willbe regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described indetail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similarcomponents, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bracket;

FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bracket;

FIG. 4 is a plan view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bracket;

FIG. 6 is a plan view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bracket; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to thedrawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however,that the claimed subject matter may be practiced with or without anycombination of these specific details, without departing from the spiritand scope of this invention and the claims.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated. The basis of the invention is a bracket 100that is designed to allow efficient marking for holes on walls for thehanging of shelving, pictures, or wall décor. The bracket 100 may bepreinstalled on an item for hanging or may be separate. If separate, theuser must install the bracket on the item that is desired to be hung ona wall. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bracket comprises bracketapertures 110, a pinhole opening 120, and a mounting aperture 130. Thebracket 100 has a longitudinal axis 150, which runs along the length ofthe bracket 100 and bifurcates the bracket into equal halves.

There may be any number of bracket apertures 110. The bracket apertures110 are used to install the bracket directly to the item desired to bemounted. The bracket apertures 110 may be any size and shape. In thepreferred embodiment the bracket apertures 110 are circular openingswith a beveled edge, allowing any screws holding the bracket 100 to themounted item to be countersunk or flush with the surface of the bracket100.

The pinhole opening 120 may be any size and shape. In the preferredembodiment the pinhole opening 120 is a threaded circular opening. Inother embodiments the pinhole opening is a smooth opening. In thepreferred embodiment the pinhole opening 120 is configured to receive aset screw 200. The set screw 200 may be any size and shape.

The mounting aperture 130 may be any size and shape. In the preferredembodiment the mounting aperture 130 has a bottom end 132 and a top end134. The bottom end 132 has a greater width than the width of the topend 134. In this embodiment, when hanging an item, the user places ascrew head through the bottom end 132 of the mounting aperture 130. Thescrew head then slides into the top end 134 of the mounting aperture 130when the item is hung. The top end 134 of the mounting aperture 130rests on the screw while the item is hanging on a wall. The narrowerwidth of the top end 134 prevents the head of the screw from movingthrough the mounting aperture 130. In other embodiments the mountingaperture 130 may be other shapes, such as a circle or oval. Regardlessof the shape, the top of the mounting aperture 130 rests on the screw ornail embedded in the wall while the item is hanging.

In the preferred embodiment of the bracket 100, the pinhole opening 120is in alignment with the longitudinal axis 150 of the bracket 100.Ideally, the longitudinal axis 150 passes through the diameter of thepinhole opening 120. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, thelongitudinal axis 150 passes through the center of the mounting aperture130 and bifurcate the mounting aperture 130 into two equal halves. Inthis manner the bracket will hang on a screw in its center of gravityand the longitudinal axis 150 will be plum with the ground while theitem is hanging.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, another embodiment of the bracket isillustrated. In this embodiment the bracket apertures 110 are out ofline with the longitudinal axis 150 of the bracket 100. However, thepinhole opening 120 and mounting aperture 130 are still aligned with thelongitudinal axis 150 of the bracket 100. In addition, in the embodimentshown, the bracket 100 may have a marking element 300. The markingelement 300 may be any type of item that is used to create a visualmark, such as a pencil, pen, marker, or any other instrument.Additionally, the marking element 300 may be a member that does notcontain its own media but requires media to be applied to create a mark,such as a paint brush. The marking element 300 can be set into thepinhole opening 120 so that the end that creates a mark is facingoutward away from the bracket 100.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, another embodiment of the invention isillustrated. In this embodiment there are three bracket apertures 110and two mounting apertures 130. In the embodiment illustrated there is asingle pinhole opening 120 but there may be multiple pinhole openings120.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, another embodiment of the invention isillustrated. In this embodiment the bracket 400 is comprised of ahanging member 402 and an attachment member 404. The hanging member 402is utilized to hang on a screw or nail in the wall. The attachmentmember 404 is utilized to attach to the item being hung on the wall. Thehanging member 402 and attachment member 404 are pivotably connectedtogether. The attachment member 404 may be any size and shape. Thehanging member 402 may be any size and shape. There may be a singlehanging member 402 or multiple hanging members 402 connected to a singleattachment member 404. There may be a single attachment member 404 ormultiple attachment members 404 connected to a single hanging member402.

The attachment member 404 has one or more rings 406. The rings 406 arepositioned at the top end of the attachment member 404. The rings 406are circular members with an interior space for receiving a portion ofthe hanging member 402. The bottom end of the hanging member has one ormore hooks 408. The hooks 408 are utilized to pass through the rings406. In other embodiments the rings 406 are attached to the hangingmember 402 and the hooks 408 are attached to the attachment member 404.In other embodiments the rings 406 and hooks 408 are replaced by anyother item which permits the hanging member 402 to be rotably connectedto the attachment member 404. In other embodiments, the hanging member402 and attachment member 404 are connected by a swivel or a hinge.

As illustrated the attachment member 404 has a bracket aperture 410which permits the bracket 400 to be attached to the item being hung. Thebracket aperture 410 may be any size and shape. There may be any numberof bracket apertures 410. In some embodiments the bracket aperture 410may have a bevel to permit a screw to be countersunk or flush with theattachment member 404. The hanging member 402 has a hanging space 430which is defined by the hanging member 402. The hanging space 430 is thespace where a screw or nail in a wall is disposed through while the itemis hung on the wall.

In the preferred embodiment the hanging member 402 is “V” shaped wherethe top of the hanging member 402 is narrower than the bottom end of thehanging member 402. This ensures that the nail or screw in a wall isdisposed the top end of the hanging space 430. Disposed at the top endof the hanging member 402 is a pinhole opening 420. The bracket 420 hasa longitudinal axis 450 that passes through the center of the bracket400 and bifurcates the bracket 400. In the preferred embodiment thelongitudinal axis 450 passes through the diameter of the pinhole opening420 and bracket aperture 410. The longitudinal axis 450 also passesthrough the top end of the hanging space 430. The pinhole opening 420may utilize a set screw 200 or a marking element 300.

Other embodiments of the invention are possible without departing fromthe scope of the invention. Depending on the desired mounted object thepinhole opening 120 can house various types of bolts, nuts, screws, pinsor nails. The pinhole opening 120 may house an item that will be used toeasily mark the desired mounting location. Whatever is housed in thepinhole opening 120 will slightly protrude from the opening and bracket.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown in the drawings, the pinholeopening may utilize a Ray-Allen screw which slightly protrudes from thebracket. The mounting aperture 130 will rest upon a nail, screw, clip,or bolt and anchor the mounted item at the desired mounted location on awall. This is in order to ensure that after the screw, nut, or bolt inthe pinhole opening has been used to mark the mounting location, thebracket will rest properly.

After using the screw, nut, or bolt housed in the pinhole opening 120 tomark the desired location and perforating the marked location thedesired item to be mounted can easily be placed and mounted. Because ofthe location of the pinhole opening 120 and ease of marking the locationthe installation and mounting of items becomes significantly easier. Therisk of improperly measuring and installing nails or screws to mountitems is eliminated.

Depending on the objects desired to be mounted, brackets can takedifferent forms. The bracketing apertures, pinhole opening, and housingcavity are not restricted to any specific location, but may varydepending on need and design of the desired item to be mounted.

To utilize the invention as illustrated, the user first obtains the itemthe user desires to mount on the wall. The user attaches one or morebrackets 100 to the item. Alternatively, the item may have one or morebrackets 100 already installed on the item. The user partially unthreadsthe set screw 200 from the pinhole 120 so that the set screw 200protrudes laterally from the bracket 100. The user positions the item atthe desired location on the wall for mounting. The user presses the itemagainst the wall. In doing so the set screw 200 is pushed into the wall.In this embodiment, the wall is preferably made of gypsum or drywall.The wall may also be wood or paneling as well. By pushing the set screw200 into the wall the user has created a mounting location for securinga screw or nail. The set screw 2000 creates an impression or indentationinto the wall. The user then secures a mounting screw or nail into thewall at the marked location. The user then threads the set screw 200into the bracket 100 so that it is flush or fully removes the set screw.The user may then insert the mounting screw or nail into the mountingaperture 130 and hang the item on the wall.

There are many alternative embodiments available for the inventionwithout deviation from the inventive nature of the bracket. Any type ofprotruding item may be utilized on the bracket. The bracket may comewith removable protrusions with ink or other marking items, such as apen or pencil which is mounted in the pinhole opening. In this mannerthe user does not create an impression in the wall but instead creates avisual mark in the wall at the desired location. The user then removesthe marking item from the pinhole opening 120 before hanging the item.In other embodiments the set screw 200 may instead be replaced by a pinwith a spring which allows the pin to be retractable by pressing on thepin. The pin may than create an impression in the wall during use. Inother embodiments the user may apply ink or charcoal to the tip of thepin to create a visual mark on the wall at the desired location. Inother embodiments the pin or screw extending from the bracket creates apilot hole for inserting the mounting screw or nail.

The bracket 100 may take any shape and retain its function. Thecomponents of the bracket 100 may take any shape and retain theirfunction. The primary invention is a removable or retractable componenton the bracket which creates an impression or visual mark for thelocation of placing a mounting screw or nail in the wall.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of such matterare possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended toembrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fallwithin the spirit of this invention.

The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and theprinciples and novel features disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for hanging an item on a wall comprising a) attaching a bracket to a back side of said item i) wherein said bracket comprises (1) one or more bracket apertures; (2) a mounting aperture; (3) a pinhole opening disposed adjacent to said mounting aperture; (4) wherein said bracket has a longitudinal axis, wherein said longitudinal axis passes through a diameter of said pinhole opening; (5) a set screw disposed in said pinhole opening; b) unthreading said set screw from said pinhole opening so that a portion of said set screw extends laterally from said bracket and away from said item; c) holding said item in a desired position against a wall; d) pressing said item against said wall so that said portion of said set screw creates an impression in said wall; e) inserting a hanging fastener into said impression in said wall; and f) placing said hanging fastener within said mounting aperture.
 2. The method as in claim 1 further comprising threading said set screw into said pinhole opening after creating said impression in said wall until said set screw does not extend laterally from said bracket.
 3. A method for hanging an item on a wall comprising a) attaching a bracket to a back side of said item i) wherein said bracket comprises (1) one or more bracket apertures; (2) a mounting aperture; (3) a pinhole opening disposed adjacent to said mounting aperture; (4) wherein said bracket has a longitudinal axis, wherein said longitudinal axis passes through a diameter of said pinhole opening; (5) a marking element disposed in said pinhole opening; b) holding said item in a desired position against a wall; c) pressing said item against said wall so that a portion of said marking element creates a visual mark on said wall; d) applying a mark on a hanging location on said wall with said marking element; e) inserting a hanging fastener in said wall where said mark is located; and f) placing said hanging fastener within said mounting aperture.
 4. The method as in claim 3 further comprising removing said marking element from said pinhole opening prior to hanging said item on said hanging fastener.
 5. A method for hanging an item on a wall comprising providing a bracket having a) one or more bracket apertures; b) a mounting aperture; c) a pinhole opening disposed adjacent to said mounting aperture; d) wherein said bracket has a longitudinal axis, wherein said longitudinal axis passes through a diameter of said pinhole opening; e) wherein said one or more bracket apertures further comprise a first bracket aperture having a first aperture diameter and a second bracket aperture having a second aperture diameter; f) wherein said longitudinal axis passes through said first aperture diameter; g) wherein said longitudinal axis passes through said second aperture diameter; h) a set screw having a threading; i) threadedly engaging said set screw with said pinhole opening; j) wherein said mounting aperture has a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said mounting aperture has a first width, wherein said second end of said mounting aperture has a second width, wherein said first width is greater than said second width, wherein said second end of said mounting aperture is disposed adjacent to said pinhole opening. 